There might be a slight awkward tension when mastermind coaches Chris Fagan and Chris Scott next have a private conversation.

That’s because the two-time Lions flag-winning coach told Scott a fib — not that he knew it at the time — about Lachie Neale’s playing status for last year’s grand final.

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The dual Brownlow medallist had injured his right calf in Brisbane’s 38-point qualifying final loss to Geelong three weeks earlier — a feared-serious ailment that was initially expected to cost him his finals campaign.

Neale, of course, made a stunning recovery to play in the 2025 decider, coming on as the substitute after half-time and playing a starring role.

In Run Towards the Fire, Fox Footy’s grand final recall documentary of the back-to-back premiers’ 47-point premiership win over Geelong, Fagan reflected on Neale’s shock inclusion against the Cats after racing to prove his fitness.

“I remember Chris Scott stayed at the hotel we stayed at, and I saw him in the lift the next morning — I walked in and there he was standing there, the bloke I coached against the night before,” began Fagan this pre-season.

“He goes ‘How’s Lachie?’ and I said ‘Oh, I think he’s pretty much done for the year, mate’.

“I feel a bit awkward about that now because he actually played in the grand final — but I honestly believed that (Neale was done for the year); that’s what we all thought was going to happen.”

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In just 44 per cent game time, Neale went nuts for 17 disposals, seven score involvements, seven clearances and a crowd-lifting goal on the eve of three-quarter-time.

Neale’s adrenaline-inducing running major, which came with under a minute remaining in the premiership quarter, put the Lions up 19 points at a pivotal point in the game.

It was a moment described by teammates as the “turning point” for the Lions, who’d gained the ascendancy over the Cats but were about to really put the foot down.

“I saw the Geelong player miss Bailey Smith with the handball, and I actually saw ‘Zorks’ out of the corner of my eye take off, and thought he was going to get a hold of the footy, or at least impact,” a reminiscing Neale explained.

“I was waving my arms, as I do, calling for the ball. ‘Zorks’ did a nice little step — and he doesn’t handball much, ‘Zork’, but that one hit me in a great spot.

“Gave it a bit with the celebration — I don’t usually celebrate — (but) I’ll remember that moment forever.”

Run Towards the Fire premieres on Fox Footy on Tuesday, March 3 at 7.30pm AEDT, immediately following AFL 360.